“Roots in the future”: our motto represented in a poetic illustration

An important stage of our journey with "Destination Frankfurt" is represented by the work of illustrator Lorenzo Mattotti, cartoonist and director of animated films of undisputed fame, who created the poster for Italy Guest of Honor 2024 at the Buchmesse.

Mattotti has visually translated the motto "Roots into the future" by marrying past and future in a wide-ranging image: in a panorama reminiscent of the Italian hills, a flower with white petals carries a reading young woman intent on reading. From the roots of a culture blossoms a future in which the passion for literature comes to life.

The illustration was presented to the public for the first time on 23 February as part of "Testo", the Florentine event dedicated to the world of publishing, which is in its third edition this year.

Lorenzo Mattotti

Lorenzo Mattotti lives and works in Paris. He made his debut at the end of the 70s as a comic book author and in the early 80s he founded the Valvoline group with other artists.

Mattotti publishes in newspapers and magazines such as The New Yorker, Le Monde, Das Magazin, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Nouvel Observateur, Corriere della Sera and Repubblica. For children, he illustrates various books, including "Pinocchio" and "Eugenio" which in 1993 won the Bratislava Grand Prix, one of the highest awards in children's publishing.

He creates posters, covers, advertising campaigns and he is the poster for Cannes 2000.